35 Summer DIY Decor Ideas for a Grown-Up Apartment

For all you recent grads who’ve just moved into your own apartment — first of all, congrats! Now that you’ve got your own place, it’s time to *own* it with DIY home decor that reflects the chic, stylish grown-up you truly are. As a bonus, you’ll now have plenty of projects apartment DIYs to keep you busy on those lazy summer days. Scroll on to peruse 35 DIY ideas to make your new space truly yours.

Living Room

1. DIY Anthro Rug: You can actually save up to $400 on this Anthropologie rug hack! If that’s not enough to convince you to take on this project, just imagine your living room floor covered with this beautiful and vibrant accent rug. All you need is fabric paint, painter’s tape and a basic IKEA MORUM rug. (via Brit + Co)

2. DIY Custom Bench: If you love the originality of a custom piece of decor, consider this charming bench made from scratch. Don’t be intimidated — as long as you can follow step-by-step instructions, you can totally take on this DIY. Just pick out your favorite fabric and head on over to our tutorial for the deets. (via Brit + Co)

3. DIY Painted Chair: Turn a basic chair into your living room’s focal point with a little bit of fabric paint. You can copy this chic pattern or try your hand at other whimsical prints. (via Sugar & Cloth)

4. DIY Rug Hack: Complement your seating area with this DIY rug made from a yard of fabric. This particular upholstery fabric cost $30 per yard, which might sound a little pricey, but if you think about it as $30 for an entire rug, it’s a pretty good deal! (via Brit + Co)

6. DIY Geometric Tasseled Pillows: If you’re not interested in conformity, we’ve got some good news. You can at least rebel against conventional living room decor by creating these unique octagonal tassel pillows. (via Brit + Co)

7. DIY Woven Floor Pouf: Spruce up your grown-up living room with a cozy element like this versatile little pouf. Customize yours by swapping out the fabric for a pattern that suits your personal aesthetic. (via Brit + Co)

Bedroom

8. DIY Copper Pipe Side Table: A grown-up bedroom calls for a legit bedside table. (Sorry, no more milk crates allowed!) Abandon your frugal college ways while still saving $$ by making this chic DIY copper pipe side table instead of buying one at the store. (via Brit + Co)

9. DIY Confetti Chair: Turn a basic plastic chair into a completely new form of seating with colorful vinyl confetti pieces. Throw in an equally bright pillow for extra cozy points and you’re all set. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

10. DIY Minimalist Daybed With Storage: If you’re tired of pumping up an air mattress every time you have guests, consider this more permanent setup. This stylish daybed doubles as a cute couch. (via Proper)

11. DIY Dresser: Contact paper may just be the best thing to ever have happened to crafts. Transform your old dresser into an upscale-looking one with something as simple as plain or printed contact paper. (via Fall for DIY)

12. DIY Furry Stool: Play with different textures to create your ideal aesthetic. To give your bedroom a luxe feel, add this faux fur-covered stool that just radiates comfort. And you can make it yourself in minutes! (via A Beautiful Mess)

13. DIY Painted Plywood Headboard: As minimalist as this DIY headboard is, the pop of color keeps things fresh. To avoid splinters, make sure to sand the wood, focusing on the edges, before wiping it clean. (via A Bubbly Life)

14. DIY Pom Pom Rug: This fun rug can function as a wall hanging and table runner as well. So if you’ve got some time on your hands, it’s worth making this super versatile and extra cute piece for your bedroom. (via Brit + Co)

Office

15. DIY Filing Cabinet: You won’t have to worry about unsightly piles of paper, folders and other bits and bobs with this sleek filing cabinet. Keep your office from appearing drab with a splash of color and personalized typography. (via Studio DIY)

16. DIY Color Block Clocks: Unfortunately these clocks won’t make time go by faster, but they’ll definitely brighten up your office space. Made of cork trivets, these cheap-but-chic clocks are a great option for decorating other rooms as well. (via Brit + Co)

19. DIY Honeycomb Shelves: These striking shelves combine wall storage and wall art. Now you can experience the benefits of both functions with this cool office project. (via Burkatron)

20. DIY Pop-Up Pencil Holder: You might have seen a diner use these as straw holders, but you can repurpose them to store virtually all your office writing supplies. With a little paint, this retro container becomes a chic pencil cup. (via Brit + Co)

Kitchen

22. DIY Modern Bottle Opener: Give your kitchen a modern touch with this DIY bottle opener made of plexiglass. Install it on your kitchen wall for a convenient tool with an artsy flair. (via A Beautiful Mess)

24. DIY Hanging Fruit Basket: Make the most of your small kitchen. To utilize every bit of surface you can, make this useful hanging fruit basket that won’t take up any table or counter space. (via Homedit)

25. DIY Mini Wooden Serving Boards: For this serving board DIY, you’ll need wooden hexagons, painter’s tape and paint. You can darken the wood using a non-toxic stain to make them appear more luxe. Once the paint dries, make sure to spray the entire board with clear spray shellac to ensure a food-safe surface. (via Sugar & Cloth)

26. DIY Color-Blocked Spice Jars: Snag however many jars you need at your local dollar store, tape them off with painter’s tape and use acrylic craft paint to achieve this easy look. For the finishing touch, spray the lids a shimmery shade of gold and follow with a coat of shellac. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

27. DIY Dip-Dye Typography Kitchen Towels: Don’t fret if embroidery isn’t your forte. Consider making these DIY typography kitchen towels that are a tad more chic than stenciled ones. With the help of an Epson iron-on label maker and fabric dye, you’ll be setting kitchen decor #goals in no time. (via Lovely Indeed)

28. DIY Vertical Herb Garden: A little bit of greenery goes a long way, especially if it’s in the form of herbs you can actually use. If you’re dealing with limited space, spruce up your kitchen with this fun vertical DIY garden. (via Brit + Co)

Bathroom

29. DIY Gilded Ceramic Vanity Set: Though inspired by vintage ceramics, this confetti-sprinkled vanity set is thoroughly modern. With its gleaming gold edges, this elegant ceramic dish is just what your bathroom countertop is missing. (via Brit + Co)

30. DIY Patterned Candles: You won’t believe how easy it is to make these pretty patterned candles. Think of the DIY process as a temporary tattoo for your candles. To make, you’ll need tissue paper, free printables and a hairdryer. (via Brit + Co)

31. DIY Shower Curtain: Your shower curtain reveals a lot about your bathroom. Make sure it only has good things to say with this bright, beachy project. To get the look, use painter’s tape and outdoor spray paint. (via Brit + Co)

32. DIY Ombré Rope Hamper: This handwoven hyacinth wicker basket puts all other hampers to shame with its unparalleled style. Set out a vase of matching pink flowers and your bathroom will look so grown-up chic! (via One O)

34. DIY Bath Tissue Holder: It’s easy to shove your extra rolls of toilet paper under the sink, but now you can show them off in a sleek tube that seamlessly blends in with the rest of your bathroom decor. To prevent humidity from ruining your bath tissue, get a container that comes with a lid. (via Design Improvised)

35. DIY Bathroom Storage Bags: Complement your bathroom’s clean aesthetic with these DIY storage bags that are both functional and stylishly minimalistic. Though these feature a flash of metallic silver iron-on vinyl, you can choose the shade that suits your bathroom color scheme best. (via The Lovely Drawer)

Which of these DIYs will you take on this summer? Follow us on Pinterest for more chic and creative DIY ideas!